Power generation

RASUWA: Langtang National Park (LNP-buffer zone) has built hydropower project at Bolagaon of Gaun Pharka VDC in Nuwakot. The project was constructed with a view to conserving the forest and natural resources by utilising water resources that was going waste and providing electricity to locals residing in the areas, said Rup Bahadur Tamang, chairman of users group. The hydropower project was constructed at a total cost of Rs 714,000. Of this, LNP provided Rs 200,000 and VDC provided a grant of Rs 75,000 and locals donated Rs 619,000. Around 250 households will benefit from the project. — RSS

S Korea, US ink FTA

WASHINGTON: The US and South Korea have signed a FTA that reflected US calls for stricter labor and environmental standards. South Korean trade minister Kim Hyun-chong and US trade representative Susan Schwab signed the agreement in Washington on Saturday, meeting a deadline under president George W Bush’s expiring ‘fast track’ special trade powers. — AP

Software exports rise

New Delhi: Exports from India’s top 10 IT firms jumped by 46 per cent during the last fiscal to top $15 billion despite some adverse conditions like a strengthening rupee, says a new study. The top three firms on the list — Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro — accounted for $8.7 billion, with their revenues growing by 38 per cent, 45 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively, states a study by Dataquest magazine. — HNS